Interfacial self-assembly behavior of ferritin and chitooligosaccharide in dual-compartmentalized emulsions: dynamic...

Ferritin-based dual-compartmentalized Pickering emulsions exhibit great potential for co-encapsulating different cargos due to their compartmentalized architecture. This study investigated the interfacial self-assembly behavior of ferritin (Fn) and chitooligosaccharide (COS) and their interfacial structures for the stabilization of ferritin-based dual-compartmentalized emulsions. Specifically, compared with Fn or COS, the co-assembly into Fn/COS complexes increased surface pressure and reduced interfacial tension. Moreover, the Fn/COS assemblies possess high interfacial layer thickness and excellent resistance to mechanical oscillation. Notably, interfacial rearrangement promoted the migration of Fn toward interior layers while COS toward exterior layers, thus generating hierarchical interfacial layers. Interestingly, the self-assembly of Fn and COS can generate highly ordered crystalline structures with octahedral morphology, thereby facilitating the formation of dense interfacial films decorated with larger Fn/COS crystalline particles. Overall, this study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the co-assembly behavior of Fn and COS in the stabilization of dual-compartmentalized Pickering emulsions.